Another casting shocker in Port Charles as Kelly Monaco is leaving General Hospital after over two decades as Sam. The news was first reported by Soap Opera Network who say that Monaco’s run will end this fall.

Monaco, who made her daytime debut playing Livvie Locke on GH spinoff Port Charles, joined the cast of GH as the newly-created character of Sam McCall in 2003 shortly after PC’s cancelation.

During her time on PC, she earned a Daytime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress, and in 2006, was nominated for Outstanding Lead Actress for her work on GH.

In the summer of 2020, Monaco was temporarily replaced with soap vet Lindsay Hartley, who also stepped in again for a bit in January 2022 and again in January 2024. Then, for a couple of episodes in August 2024, Hartley again filled in for Monaco, who was back on screen in the Aug. 26 episode.

Monaco got her big break playing the character of Susan on Baywatch and during her time on the two soaps competed in two seasons of Dancing With the Stars, winning the mirrorball trophy in 2005. She also starred in the E! reality series Dirty Soap, which followed various soap stars’ lives.

There are still months to go before Monaco makes her exit as Sam, so storyline details regarding her exit are obviously not yet known. So keep watching to see how Monaco wraps up her time in Port Charles.

Will Sam be recast on General Hospital?
The reason for Kelly Monaco’s exit from General Hospital is reportedly storyline dictated.

There is no need for a recast because Sam will be killed off. That leaves her two children, Danny and Scout, without a mother.

When Kelly was unavailable to film in the past, soap vet Lindsay Hartley stepped into the role. While she isn’t Kelly, she was one of the better recasts in the soap’s history.

Unfortunately, Sam’s character will be wiped from Port Charles.

Given the ABC soap’s advanced taping schedule, Kelly will likely remain in the role for several weeks. Since Sam will die, they might drag it out until November sweeps, which would be time to pull out all the stops.

Why was Kelly Monaco let go from General Hospital?
With no news about Kelly Monaco from her or the show, speculation is that it could be due to the budget.

General Hospital recently brought back Steve Burton (Jason) for the second time, and Jonathan Jackson is back on-screen as Lucky Spencer.

They likely came on with big salaries, meaning cuts must be made. However, viewers assumed that was why Finn (Michael Easton) was sent to rehab off-screen.

Sam’s departure from Port Charles opens the door to a reconciliation between Dante (Dominic Zamprogna) and Lulu (formerly Emme Rylan). There were questions about how things would work out when NuLulu returns, and it seems the writers have considered that.

Seeing Kelly and Sam leave General Hospital won’t be easy for viewers, especially because she has been incredibly popular over the last twenty years. Her pairing with Jason and on-screen chemistry with Billy Miller has left a lasting impression.